Congratulations to Terri Decker and Barbara Inatsugu

Terri Decker, No Limits for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children

Terri Decker, born and raised in Santa Monica, recently retired after 45 years of retail banking. Terri began volunteering as a teen. She has been active in many local charitable and civic organizations and has served on many nonprofit boards over the years. Currently, Terri is Board President of No Limits for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, the organization which nominated Ms. Decker for the award. Congratulations Terri! Thank you for your service to our community!

Barbara Inatsugu, League of Women Voters of Santa Monica

Barbara Inatsugu has been involved in the Santa Monica community since moving here from Hawaii in 1982. She has been active in PTA, locally and at the state level, for all of the years her children attended Santa Monica schools. In 1992, she joined the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica where she has been very active locally and also on the state level. The League of Women Voters nominated Ms. Inatsugu for the award. Congratulations Barbara! Thank you for your service to our community!

The Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards Celebration will be held on September 11, 2019 at 6pm. The celebration recognizes individuals from our community that volunteer their time to promote understanding among diverse people, take actions that make a difference and demonstrate compassion for others.

The Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area is a non-profit organization that promotes a culture of fair treatment, inclusion and equal access to opportunities.

The HRC Santa Monica Bay Area is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the

2019 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards Program

The goal of the HRC’s Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards Program is to recognize individuals who, through their behavior and commitment, are role models for a respectful and socially just community and whose involvement with community organizations as a volunteer contributes to and impacts building an inclusive community. Our honorees are people who:

(1) Promote understanding within our diverse community, (2) Take actions that make a difference, and (3) Demonstrate compassion for others.

Our program is named for Mark Benjamin – a true hero who gave generously and thoughtfully in support of our community. He exemplified who Studs Terkel described when he wrote, “Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.”

On May 26, 2013, the HRC board honored Mark Benjamin, President and CEO of Santa Monica-based Morley Builders for his thoughtfulness and generosity in supporting the work of the HRC. On September 29, 2013, Mark lost his life in a tragic accident.﻿

We invite you to participate in the MJB Community Impact Awards Program by nominating someone who represents both your organization’s mission and the HRC’s goals. Please complete the Nomination Form and submit to hrcimpact@gmail.com.

The Nominations Period is from May 1, 2019 through June 14, 2019. All nominations must be submitted by 5:00 pm on June 14, 2019 via email to: hrcimpact@gmail.com.

Robert F. Kennedy observed, “Each time a person stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others…he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current.”

The HRC believes it is the sum of the modest, ongoing activities of many that lead to enduring change. Too often, these efforts go unrecognized. The HRC is asking you to help us identify members of our community who are making a significant impact and allow us to bring their work to center stage.

Special Discourse of the Society presented by the Santa Monica Baha’i Community, Human Relations Council – Santa Monica Bay Area, and the Southern California Committee for a Parliament of the World’s Religion

Announcing the 2018 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Award Winners
To be Honored by the Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay

SANTA MONICA, CA, April 9, 2018 – The Human Relations Council of the Santa Monica Bay Area (HRC Santa Monica) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards. The winners will be feted on Thursday, April 26, 2018, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Santa Monica Baha’i Center.

Named after long-time HRC Santa Monica board member and former Morley Builders CEO Mark J. Benjamin, the awards recognize those individuals who volunteer their time to promote understanding among diverse people, take actions that make a difference and demonstrate compassion for others.

Victoria Roshanzamir has volunteered with the Santa Monica Baha’i Center for the past 15 years. The Center’s management and maintenance is a product of love and attention Mrs. Roshanzami dedicates to the Center. Mrs. Roshanzamir spends an average of 50 hours a month ensuring the Center is open and accessible to members of the community, whether for a special event of for the Baha’i Center’s Holy day events. Mrs. Roshanzamir also provides great care to the Santa Monica Baha’i Community in times of personal loss and need.

Larry Arnstein has served as a weekly volunteer at The People Concern (formerly OPCC) for over 26 years. Mr. Arnstein serves as an Access Center volunteer, welcoming each homeless guest as they arrive at the Center. Each individual Mr. Arnstein interacts with, no matter their circumstance or background, is treated with dignity and understanding. He is a model example of empathetic and lasting service to a diverse community.

Celine Bundy-Kahn serves as a volunteer at Chrysalis, an organization to assist low-income and homeless individuals to create a pathway to self-sufficiency. Ms. Bundy-Kahn assists with the bi-weekly Job Preparation 1 class, assisting clients to prepare for, find, and retain employment by highlighting their skills in resumes and through networking. Time and time again, she steps up to ensure clients receive the services and volunteer support required. Ms. Bundy-Kahn also provides financial and strategic support of Chrysalis through her work on the Development and Event Committees.

The Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area is a non-profit organization that promotes a culture of fair treatment, inclusion and equal access to opportunities. It is led by an all-volunteer board of directors who represent residents, business, non-profit organizations, faith congregations and local government.

The awards presentation will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Santa Monica Baha’i Center, 3102 Colorado Boulevard, Santa Monica. Street parking is available along with parking at the Westside Christian Fellowship Church.

There will be a buffet dinner at 6:00 pm and the awards presentation begins at 7:00 pm. The event is open to the public but RSVPs are required. Please RSVP to:

The Human Relations Council of Santa Monica Bay Area promotes a culture of fair treatment, inclusion and equal access to opportunities.

December 1, 2017
The Human Relations Council – Santa Monica Bay Area is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the

2018 Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards

The goal of the HRC’s Mark J. Benjamin Community Impact Awards is to recognize individuals whose involvement with community organizations as a volunteer contributes to and impacts building a respectful, inclusive community. Our honorees are people who:

promote understanding within our diverse community,

make a difference, and

demonstrate compassion for others.

Our award is named for Mark Benjamin – a true hero who gave generously and thoughtfully in support of our community. He exemplified who Studs Terkel described when he wrote, “Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.”

On May 26, 2013, the HRC board honored Mark Benjamin, President and CEO ofSanta Monica-based Morley Buildersfor his thoughtfulness and generosity in supporting the work of the HRC.On September 29, 2013, Mark lost his life in a tragic accident.

We invite you to participate in the MJB Community Impact Awards by nominating someone who represents both your organization’s mission and the HRC’s goals. The Nomination Form is included here and also may be found on our website at http://www.hrcsantamonica.org. The nominating period is open from December 1, 2017 – January 31, 2018. Nominations will be reviewed between February 1st and March 1st, and the recipients will be announced on April 1, 2018. Awardees will be honored at a special event on April 26, 2018.

By nominating someone, you are also agreeing to participate in the selection process. During the month of February you will be given nominations to review and rate. Your recommendations will be submitted to the HRC Board of Directors who will make the final decision.

Robert F. Kennedy observed, “Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others…he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current.” The HRC believes it is the sum of the modest, ongoing activities of many that lead to enduring change. Too often, these efforts go unrecognized. The HRC is asking you to help us identify members of our community who are making a significant impact and allow us to bring their work to center stage.